Police uncover kidnap, robbery syndicate, nab 3 over fake abduction, rescue child

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), through operatives of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), has uncovered a staged kidnapping scheme and separately arrested members of a suspected kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate in two intelligence-led investigations.

A press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Anietie Iniedu, Friday in Abuja, noted that: “In the first case, operatives arrested Nansik Wuyep Sule, 34, in connection with the reported kidnapping of two-year-old Rito Jesse Davou. Investigation revealed that Sule allegedly conspired with the child’s biological mother, Catherine Davou, to stage the kidnapping and create the impression that the child had been abducted, with an initial ransom demand of ₦7 million.

“Further investigation revealed that the child was kept at Sule’s residence, where a subsequent ransom demand of ₦15 million was made. Another suspect, Luka Emmanuel Butdam, was also arrested for allegedly making calls to the child’s grandmother in connection with the ransom demand.

“The child was subsequently located and safely rescued and, after receiving medical attention, handed over to his biological father, CSP Iniedu added.

He said in a separate investigation, Police operatives arrested Idris Mohammed a.k.a. Yellow and Mohammed Bello Adams over their alleged involvement in the kidnapping of a commercial driver, Idris Zakari Baba, and other related criminal activities.

“Investigation revealed that the victim was allegedly lured under the pretext of conveying Mohammed from Abuja to Zaria before being intercepted by armed men, taken into the bush and held until a ransom of ₦3 million was paid. The victim’s vehicle, a 2012 Toyota Corolla, was subsequently traced to Bauchi State and recovered while Mohammed was attempting to sell it.

“Further investigation also linked the suspects to the reported kidnapping of Pastor David Dahni and his driver, Abdullahi Abubakar, for which a ransom of ₦10.5 million was reportedly paid.”

According to the FPRO, “The NPF continues to investigate the cases to identify other persons connected to the criminal activities and establish the full extent of the suspects’ involvement.”